Escalation Scenarios Between Russia and NATO in Ukraine
April 13, 2022, 12:04 pm

Escalation Scenarios Between Russia and NATO in Ukraine

Jwan Dibo

Perhaps the most prominent question regarding the current Russian-Ukrainian war is about the prospects for escalation scenarios between Russia and NATO.

Although NATO is not completely united in dealing with Russia, the Western alliance has not stopped supplying the Ukrainian army with weapons to continue the resistance.

However, the important question in this framework is to what extent NATO can help the Ukrainian army and not be drawn into a direct confrontation with Russia. So far, it seems that Russia and NATO agree on the current rules of the game, i.e., the continuation of the indirect combat between the two sides in Ukraine.

Yet, there is no guarantee that this situation will continue forever, especially in light of the current impasse at the diplomatic level. That is why NATO ministers met last week to discuss the extent to which the Western alliance can help the Ukrainian army.

If the military aid provided by NATO to the Ukrainian army so far has helped the Ukrainians to resist the second army in the world, this may prompt NATO to study the likelihood of providing more sophisticated weapons. That is why the Ukrainian president has long asked NATO to deliver advanced weapons to the Ukrainian army, such as tanks, warplanes, drones, and advanced air and missile defence systems.

At the same time, NATO hawks such as the United States and Britain are satisfied that Ukraine - as they believe- is gradually turning into a quagmire to drain Russia. This explains why the two countries have not made any serious attempts to resolve the crisis diplomatically. On the contrary, the two countries are working in one way or another to disrupt the diplomatic efforts of France and Germany.

In this context, possible scenarios are: 1- NATO continues to provide the current quality and quantity of weapons that have proven their effectiveness in resisting the Russian army. 2- Russia's targeting of arms convoys coming from Eastern European countries that are members of NATO to Ukraine. This, if repeated, could force NATO into a direct clash with Russia. 3- NATO may intervene directly if Russia uses internationally prohibited weapons against the Ukrainians. 4- NATO provides advanced weapons to the Ukrainian army with the aim of achieving victory, not only resistance. But this step may push Russia to use its huge nuclear arsenal, which the Russian president has long threatened to use it.

So far, it seems that NATO, led by Washington and London, tends to manage the Ukrainian crisis so that Ukraine will slowly turn into a swamp from which it is difficult for Russia to get out. Therefore, there is no unified NATO strategy aimed at resolving the crisis peacefully.

The difficult task for NATO remains how to provide the most advanced weapons to the Ukrainian army to resist the Russian invasion without turning this war into a third world war in which Europe pays the heaviest price.

BY: Jwan Dibo

Leaders of Poland and Baltic states head to Kyiv to meet Ukraine's President Finland, Sweden to decide whether to join NATO amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.